TO PROTEST or NOT TO PROTEST? A conviction or confliction?

There are so many opinions and so little convictions in the world today.  There are those who want things to happen, there are those who make things happen, and then there are those who wonder what in the world is happening.  In this season of anger, guilt, and anxiety I salute anybody and everybody who “make things happen” and who act upon their convictions in a constructive and peaceful way, even though it might differ from mine.

There are those who are deeply disturbed by the racial injustices in our communities and their convictions lead them to participate in peaceful protests as acts of solidarity.  I salute them and share their convictions.

BUT there are also those who choose not to participate in protests due to a personal conviction of responding with a different spirit.  I am one of those.  BUT I am not a passive observer.  I have dedicated the past 40 years of my life to serve the vulnerable and marginalized across the globe.

I have no doubt that many who protest spend countless hours reading, researching, and reflecting, just like I do, on all the injustices we face in our communities.   We differ not so much on the content of our convictions BUT, we do differ in the way that we choose to respond to our respective convictions.

I have re-evaluated my own response and would like to confirm the ‘currency’ I choose when sharing my convictions.  These convictions are not more noble or more Biblical than those who choose to respond differently but simply confirms my personal interpretation and understanding of the season we find ourselves in.  So, allow me to confirm:

• No, by not protesting, I am not a racist. BUT in this time of anger, I just choose to reflect the beauty of Christ, not the evil of man.

2 Corinthians 3:18  All of us, then, reflect the glory of the Lord with uncovered faces; and that same glory, coming from the Lord, who is the Spirit, transforms us into his likeness in an ever greater degree of glory. (GNB)

• No, by not protesting, I am not uninformed. BUT in this age of fear, I just choose to offer hope, not increase anxiety

1Thessalonians 1:3  For we remember before our God and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love made you work so hard, and how your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ is firm. 

• No, by not protesting, I am not compromising. BUT in this season of hatred, I just choose to give life, not drain life

John 6:63  What gives life is God’s Spirit; human power is of no use at all. The words I have spoken to you bring God’s life-giving Spirit. (GNB)

• No, by not protesting, I am not misdirected. BUT in this search for truth, I just choose to inspire, not conspire

Jeremiah 29:11  I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. (GNB)

• No, by not protesting, I am not compliant. BUT at this moment in history, I am more attracted to holiness than I am distracted by evil

Hebrews 12:14  Try to be at peace with everyone, and try to live a holy life, because no one will see the Lord without it. 

• No, by not protesting, I am not miseducated. BUT within this cloud of opinions, I just choose to display a consciousness of a loving Christ,  not conformity to a suspicious world

Philippians 2:5  The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had: 

• No, by not protesting, I am not weak. BUT in this season of suspicion, I just choose to represent the victorious Church, not a guilt-ridden follower

2 Timothy 1:7  For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control. 

• No, by not protesting, I am not condoning evil. BUT in the presence of despair, I just choose to be a light that reflects beauty, not just light that exposes darkness

Matthew 5:16  In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven. 

• No, by not protesting, I am not asleep. BUT with all the deafening opinions, I just choose information that leads to a liberating Truth, not information that leads to an enslaving truth

John 8:32  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

• No, by not protesting, I am not passive. BUT in an age of dualism, I just choose to build bridges of harmony, not barriers that divide

John 17:23  I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 

Thank you for carrying in your heart the same concern, the same faith, and the same love – regardless of how you are lead to respond.